What is behind frequent yawning during the day?

Everyone knows daytime sleepiness. Sometimes we explain it by changes in air pressure, insufficient sleep, and in most cases – by too much work and stress. If we experience this condition occasionally, there is no reason to worry. Unfortunately, phrases like "persistent exhaustion and lack of sleep," "daytime sleepiness," or "sleepiness and fatigue" are among the most searched on Google. Should we be concerned?

Diagnosis

An extreme feeling of tiredness during the day is a common health problem in developed countries. About 25 percent of adults admit to suffering from it a few days per month, 14 percent per week, and 8 percent almost every day. It is also worth noting that excessive fatigue is more dangerous than... Insomnia. Lack of concentration can cause difficulties at school and work, it disrupts full functioning, which is often mistaken for laziness. Additionally, the risk of metabolic diseases (diabetes or obesity) increases. The first step to improvement is extending sleep. Uninterrupted sleep should be maintained for at least eight hours per night for at least four weeks. If symptoms still persist and yawning during daily regular activities continues, it is recommended to have tests for diabetes, kidney and liver diseases, chronic inflammations, hypothyroidism, as well as depression and mental-psychological disorders. Nevertheless, these are extreme cases, with sleep disorders representing only a small part of the picture, which can be triggered by completely different problems. 

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is defined as repeated episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep, leading to apnea and shallow breathing. Loud irregular snoring interrupted by phases of silence is a common and often ignored symptom. Sudden awakening and increased heart rate are also characteristic of SAS. Sleep apnea is also associated with daytime symptoms such as excessive sweating, headaches, irritability, nervousness, and dry mouth. It also manifests as sudden sleep onset during simple activities, such as reading or watching TV.

Hypersomnia

Hypersomnia is a pathological increase in sleepiness that occurs after waking up or during various activities. People suffering from hypersomnia fall asleep unexpectedly, which is why this condition is often described as "sleep attacks." Concentration problems or lack of energy are seemingly harmless symptoms – nevertheless – they can lead to great dangers, such as falling asleep while driving. Frequent awakenings at night result in daytime sleepiness because ineffective sleep prevents you from getting proper rest. 

Obesity

Overweight and high fat levels in the body are underestimated but very dangerous causes of sleep disorders and general exhaustion. Scientists at the Penn State College of Medicine emphasize in their studies that obesity has the same impact on sleep and recovery disorders as depression! According to them, obesity causes constant inflammation in the body, which in turn promotes the secretion of cytokines – proteins involved in the body's immune response. It is the increased level of cytokines that makes us feel constantly tired.

Sleep Hygiene  

The most ignored problem in the case of increased daytime sleepiness is sleep hygiene. This can be maintained by applying some simple rules. The first rule is to go to bed at a regular time, even on weekends. You should also avoid stress in the bedroom, for example, try not to read emails in bed or think about work. The quality of the bedding used is also important. It is best not to use allergenic fillings and to pay attention to the right individual comfort (e.g., with sensory/weighted blankets).

Although most of us have basic knowledge about sleep hygiene, it is not always easy to apply it, as it requires above all determination and – moreover – regularity. And that is certainly not an easy task nowadays, even when it comes to relaxation.